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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : Crime and the Criminal Justice System
Jan. 08, 2026 12:00 p.m.
John will conduct an overview of crime and the criminal justice system. What is crime? How do we define it? What do we know about it? Why do people commit it? How do we deal with it as a society and as a community? What is “justice” in the context of the criminal justice system? These are big questions about a system that impacts all of us at some point. The criminal justice system is probably the most direct use of governmental power over our society, but most people do not have a clear understanding of what the system does or how it works. By talking about some of these issues, I hope to spark discussions about what we want the system to do and how we can best achieve “justice”. I will also leave time for any questions about our local system or specific types of crime.
About John F. Lopez:
John F. Lopez is an Assistant Professor of Practice in Criminal Justice at St. Edward’s University where he teaches undergraduate classes in criminal justice systems, criminology, evidence, courts, criminal law, and mock trial. He is a graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and the University of Texas School of Law. He is currently completing his Ph.D. in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Texas State University. Before retiring in 2021, he worked for almost 20 years as a prosecutor in Travis County, including 17 years with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. During his time in the DA’s office, he worked in multiple areas including felony trial court, juvenile court, and worker’s compensation insurance fraud. He was chief of the Grand Jury Unit and the Conviction Integrity Unit. He also holds a 2nd degree black belt in Shotokan Karate and Shorin Kempo.
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Jan. 22, 2026 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Feb. 26, 2026 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Mar. 26, 2026 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Apr. 23, 2026 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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May 28, 2026 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Jun. 25, 2026 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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